First-of-its-kind collaboration pairs a dispensary and manufacturer with a chemical recycling company to convert cannabis packaging plastics into fuel
SAN JOSE, CA – DEC. 17, 2020 – Airfield Supply Company — the largest single-site dispensary in California — today announced the launch of a plastic recycling program aimed at collecting and upcycling cannabis packaging waste before it enters the trash stream. Working with Sonoma County’s large-scale cannabis manufacturer CannaCraft and recycling innovator Resynergi, Airfield is the first dispensary to join an ambitious pilot effort to convert plastic child-resistant packaging into the fuel that powers CannaCraft’s Kind House Distribution fleet of delivery vehicles as they speed products to dispensaries across California.
The cannabis industry’s child-resistant packaging is mandatory in California but contributes a massive volume of single-use plastic, including some 2 million single-joint tubes — each of which typically use 40.5 grams of plastic — to the state’s waste stream and landfills each year. Resynergi’s proprietary chemical recycling process takes the plastic to the molecular level, recapturing energy from up to five tons of plastic each day, with each ton of waste producing some 200 gallons of diesel oil that can then be used by Kind House Distribution vehicles.
“We are delighted to be the first dispensary to team up with CannaCraft and Resynergi on this project,” says Marc Matulich, CEO of Airfield Supply Company, which has committed to placing Resynergi recycling bins throughout the dispensary’s footprint and providing customers with Exit Bags they can use in storing their plastic trash. “We welcome some 1,300 customers each day, so could conceivably capture as many as 4,000 to 5,000 plastic items before they enter the waste stream daily. Knowing that we are providing this safety net to stop plastic trash before it goes into the environment helps us sleep more soundly at night.”
It’s estimated that, in the 60 years since plastic became ubiquitous in manufacturing, humans have produced 6.3 billion tons of the stuff. Only 9% of it has ever been recycled.
“Resynergi’s innovative process has changed the way people think about plastic waste and energy while helping the cannabis industry balance important product safety measures with sustainability,” says Ned Fussell, co-founder of CannaCraft. “We’re excited to have an industry-leading dispensary brand like Airfield collaborate with us. I hope that it inspires other dispensaries to do the same. This is absolutely an ‘all hands’ situation.”
With breakthrough compact-modular systems that are agily deployable as needed to capture plastic right at the source — be it land, river, or ocean — Resynergi’s efforts for the cannabis industry are ground-breaking. “We’re pleased to play a part in the cannabis industry’s efforts to be good stewards of the Earth,” says Resynergi CEO Brian Bauer. “It’s exciting to produce something as valuable as fuel from an item destined for the landfill and perhaps, the ocean. We see it as a solid win-win.”
Look for the distinctive black and white Resynergi recycling bins at Airfield Supply Co. beginning this week.
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About Airfield Supply Company
Airfield Supply Company is a leading vertically-integrated full-service cannabis dispensary. Based in San Jose, CA, Airfield combines boutique-style retail experiences with a world-class selection of cannabis flowers, concentrates, topicals, and edibles. Since its launch in 2010, Airfield’s mission has been to make the most out of life’s journey every day. Airfieldsupplyco.com #AirfieldSupplyCo @Airfieldsupply #plastictooil
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Gretchen Giles • gretchen.giles@humannaturepr.com • 707.570.7887
